Graham calms Consett nerves
CONSETT scraped to a nervy fourrun victory over Tynedale to say top by virtue of less games lost.
Consett were thankful to Stuart Graham, who hit five fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 75 as the visitors finished on 159-9. Callan McCabe took 4-34.
Hassan Raza then claimed 5-22 to leave Tynedale struggling on 127-9.
Tailenders Matthew Scott (20 not out) and David Newton (10 not out) almost saw Tynedale over the line fallling just short on 155 with two balls left.
Consett dropped two points, leaving them level with Swalwell at the top.
Swalwell secured an eight-wicket wicket over relegated Stocksfield.
Stephen Smith (5-29) and Guy Saxton (4-6) bowled their visitors out for only 77.
Lloyd Anderson (20 not out) and Neil Corby (three not out) guided the Gateshead outfit to 82-2 after they had lost openers James Welch (30) and John Meadows (27).
Swalwell’s four defeats compared to Consett’s three keeps the Durham side in pole position.
There was no change at the bottom after the important game between Ryton against Lintz was drawn.
Hosts Ryton posted 237-9. Rain delayed play, the lost time allowing second-bottom Lintz to reply with only 133-2 before the cut-off time was reached. Ryton stay fourth from bottom.
Percy Main remain sandwiched between the above duo after losing at Shotley Bridge by 58 runs.
The Durham side amassed 235-8 thanks to 69 from Mick Allen and 66 by opener Ross Burdon.
David Anderson (56) and Fraser Oates (50) steered Percy Main to 121-1 before closing short on 177-9. Shotley stay third.
Ben Harmison (right) hit an unbeaten 130 as Ashington triumphed at Lanchester by 49 runs.
Ian Sharkey claimed 4-44 as Lanchester were bowled out for 184 chasing Ashington’s healthy 233-6.
Newcastle City (174-8) beat Alnmouth and Lesbury by 12 runs.
Ian Stubbs (3-36), Ihsan Ul-Haq (3-20) and Amaan Ul-Haq (3-29) dismissed the visitors for 162.